Open Carry is carrying a firearm unconcealed in Ohio. OC does not require a concealed handgun license, but the practice requires intimate knowledge of the law since there are places and situations where OC is prohibited but carrying concealed would be permitted. OC is also likely to attract attention. This forum is for discussion of OC, not for debating the pro's and con's or coordinating any type of protest events.

Ok, I tried my best to skim through topics - hope this isn't a repeat.

I rent an apartment in the Columbus area. I'm considering carrying on me at all times even at home (all LEAGAL times). I would like to hear feedback on this.

1) If someone knocks on my door (solicitor and or mail carrier or any other random person) and sees my firearm on my hip, but i'm not threatening to use it, am not touching it, and have not even made it a point to show that it's there....is there anything illegal about that?2) If not illegal - just frowned upon....why?3) If they make a fuss about it and call the cops - would I have anything to worry about, especially if I didn't touch it, didn't mention it, didn't do anything...they just brought up the firearm on their own and freaked out? (Granted - I get that it's their word against mine when the cops show up)

Sound off!

The mind is like a parachute — it only works when it's open. US Army • 56M • 2003-2012OIF 2009-2010VFW Member

I'm usually armed when answering the door for an unexpected guest, though I keep it concealed. Otherwise, it is either on me, or within arm's reach if carrying isn't practical or comfortable (i.e. cuddling on the couch).

I prefer concealed because it doesn't advertise to strangers that there are guns in the house. You might deter someone's initial home invasion if they see you're armed, but your house might make it on their list to be watched for when they know you aren't home.

Curzyk wrote:I'm usually armed when answering the door for an unexpected guest, though I keep it concealed. Otherwise, it is either on me, or within arm's reach if carrying isn't practical or comfortable (i.e. cuddling on the couch).

I prefer concealed because it doesn't advertise to strangers that there are guns in the house. You might deter someone's initial home invasion if they see you're armed, but your house might make it on their list to be watched for when they know you aren't home.

Good points. I agree with the reason of carrying at home - I don't want it in a safe that might be between me and the bad guy (or gal ). I'd rather have it on me or like you said within arms reach. My only real reason for considering having it visible would be more of a "don't try anything" type of message (and hopefully get a "nevermind!!" out of solicitors lol!!).

The mind is like a parachute — it only works when it's open. US Army • 56M • 2003-2012OIF 2009-2010VFW Member

2) I wouldn't say frowned upon, it is your home, you castle, no worries. I do it all the time.

3) I would hope the cops would laugh at them for making a MWAG call to a person in their own home, but you never know. As long as you aren't threatening them with it, nothing to worry about. And yes, your word against theirs of course. I've never had it happen though, I don't think there are that many people likely to come to your door that would be freaked out enough to call and then lie about you threatening them.

1) No.2) Because too many people are not brought up around them.3) Shouldn't. The he said / she said can be removed from the equation by keeping a recording device handy and using it.

CurbedSedition wrote:1) If someone knocks on my door (solicitor and or mail carrier or any other random person) and sees my firearm on my hip, but i'm not threatening to use it, am not touching it, and have not even made it a point to show that it's there....is there anything illegal about that?2) If not illegal - just frowned upon....why?3) If they make a fuss about it and call the cops - would I have anything to worry about, especially if I didn't touch it, didn't mention it, didn't do anything...they just brought up the firearm on their own and freaked out? (Granted - I get that it's their word against mine when the cops show up)

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WY_Not wrote:1) No.2) Because too many people are not brought up around them.3) Shouldn't. The he said / she said can be removed from the equation by keeping a recording device handy and using it.

CurbedSedition wrote:1) If someone knocks on my door (solicitor and or mail carrier or any other random person) and sees my firearm on my hip, but i'm not threatening to use it, am not touching it, and have not even made it a point to show that it's there....is there anything illegal about that?2) If not illegal - just frowned upon....why?3) If they make a fuss about it and call the cops - would I have anything to worry about, especially if I didn't touch it, didn't mention it, didn't do anything...they just brought up the firearm on their own and freaked out? (Granted - I get that it's their word against mine when the cops show up)

Good point! I like the recording device mention.

The mind is like a parachute — it only works when it's open. US Army • 56M • 2003-2012OIF 2009-2010VFW Member

CurbedSedition wrote:and hopefully get a "nevermind!!" out of solicitors lol!!

I have a "No Solicitors" sign on my door. Any solicitor that ignores it is met with me saying "No solicitors" and pointing toward the sign. It has only happened a couple of times in the past few years, and they were apologetic and moved on with no hassle. Nowadays, the only solicitors I encounter are the ones that approach me while I'm washing my car.

Everyone is just trying to make $$$$$.....if you don't want solicitors knocking on your door, post a sign...not what I would call friendly , but hey , if it works fine..

Open carry in the home, IMO only , is over doing it...Unless you have reason to believe something isn't right or your in a bad neighborhood....keep it real close by....or conceal it.... Keep Good locks on the door...

Life is full of God given coincidences..A MEMBER OF OFCC SINCE 2004...

Curzyk wrote:I'm usually armed when answering the door for an unexpected guest, though I keep it concealed. Otherwise, it is either on me, or within arm's reach if carrying isn't practical or comfortable (i.e. cuddling on the couch).

I prefer concealed because it doesn't advertise to strangers that there are guns in the house. You might deter someone's initial home invasion if they see you're armed, but your house might make it on their list to be watched for when they know you aren't home.

Good points. I agree with the reason of carrying at home - I don't want it in a safe that might be between me and the bad guy (or gal ). I'd rather have it on me or like you said within arms reach. My only real reason for considering having it visible would be more of a "don't try anything" type of message (and hopefully get a "nevermind!!" out of solicitors lol!!).

I don't OC for the purpose of intimidation. When I do it's usually a case of laziness on my part. If random visitors on my doorstep don't like it, good, don't come back!

Another good reason to carry at home is that you have positive control of an unsecured firearm in your home, in the case of the presence of children, ex felons, drug addicts, alzheimers patients, angry spouse, whatever, in your home. Everyone's situation is different.

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carmen fovozzo wrote:Everyone is just trying to make $$$$$.....if you don't want solicitors knocking on your door, post a sign...not what I would call friendly , but hey , if it works fine..

Open carry in the home, IMO only , is over doing it...Unless you have reason to believe something isn't right or your in a bad neighborhood....keep it real close by....or conceal it.... Keep Good locks on the door...

You don't carry at home, Carmen?

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I carry at home simply because I'm used to carrying all day everywhere I go. I'm lucky enough to be able to carry at work and usually only visit carry friendly establishments. When I get home, I just leave it in place until I go to bed. Then it goes on my nightstand. As mentioned above, a side benefit is that it is always under my control and I don't have to worry about my children (although they are trained well) or their friends (who may not be so trained) getting their hands on it. The downside (upside?) to this, is that I usually am not walking around in the house (or yard) in shorts or beltless attire.